Community stories

I have had a wonderful experience breastfeeding my daughter. The first two weeks don't let me fool you, they were hard, I didn't even get my pump until she was about a week old. I was visiting my mom so I could get some sleep and I went online to read on why I was hurting so much, I would be in tears and I called the nurse and she kept saying it wasn't supposed to hurt. So when I got home I went to the clinic to find out I had Mastitis once I got the antibiotics for that everything else was great. I exclusively breastfed until my hubby said he was jealous of the bond so i started using my pump at night so he could bottle feed her. Then I started making so much milk I started freezing it. I love breastfeeding she is almost 8 months old and we have an amazing bond, it beats buying formula by far ( no offense to any mothers that use it I believe in doing what you think is best for your child)and its very convenient for long road trips and air plane rides.

Taylor
from UT (US)

May 28, 2012 17:05 PM

I didn't have the best expereane with my fist child I thought that I would breastfeed for 12 months but lost my milk at 4 months. He had a hard time latching on, and I went back to work when he was 6 weeks old. I think from the stress of going back to work and him not being an aggressive eater I think that contributed to my milk supply deminishing. I just had my second child 4 months ago and this time around it has been wonderful! She is very aggressive and she caught on quick. I am hoping to be able to breastfeed for at least 8 more months. I am loving the bond we are getting from our feeding time. I am glad I tried breastfeeding again even though it was so hard the first time.

Stacy
from IN (US)

May 11, 2012 12:15 PM

I was lucky enough to stay home with my son for the first few years and he was breastfed exclusively for four or five months, and then wanted solid food. I mixed pumped milk with baby cereal so he could eat with a spoon. He weaned himself when he was 11 months, and I knew it was very natural for him to do that, but I was so sad! I just told myself that it was better for him to do it because it would have been much harder if I had to tell him "no" at some point! Breastfeeding was one of the best experiences of my life and I am forever grateful that I was able to do it. I feel sad for people that think it is gross and unnatural.

Mandy
from OK (US)

May 08, 2012 19:05 PM

I admit when I found out I was pregnant I had never even held a newborn before. I was thrown to the wolves knowing almost nothing! I wanted to be everything to my baby so I set out to educate myself about nursing and formula. I had heard many horror nursing stories so I was very nervous. I was given a book on breastfeeding by a very dear friend and I read that thing front to back. I learned I was determined to breastfeed. Even the book described it could be difficult but it sounded so great for me and baby! Let me tell you though we had MAJOR issues in the beginning!

Jennifer
from CA (US)

May 04, 2012 18:54 PM

I have had 5 children and have been so blessed to have successfully nursed all of them. My goal for each of them was until they 1 year old; however, they each so enjoyed solid food that they quit themselves about 10-11 months old. I know at the beginning I had to use lanolin just to help soothe myself, but as I kept at it my body got used to all that drinking. My babies are very healthy today, and very smart, and I believe breast feeding had a lot to do with it. My plea for new mothers is to keep at it. There's nothing quite like laying with your baby skin to skin and them loving you as best as they can, by eating!